COUNTRY SPORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27383, 8 May 1950, Page 8

COUNTRY SPORT

SOUTH OTAGO RUGBY Toko Beats Clutha Valley Special to the Daily Times MILTON, May 7. The surprise in the South Otago senior Rugby compel.tion on Saturday was the decisive defeat of Clutha Valley by Toko, which hitherto had not won a match. Played at Milton, the match attracted a large crowd of spectators. Simpson (Toko) opened the scoring with a goal from a penalty from well out. Valley attacked and Toko was penalised, steel kicking a penalty goal from under the posts to even the score. Before halftime, Simpson was successful with two more penalties. Lockhart retired with an injury shortly after half-time, and Hansen moved out to the back line. From a line out at Valley's twenty-five, the ball went out to Hansen, who cut through the defence to the Valley line before pasing to Healey, who scored near the corner. Simpson added the major points with a magnificent kick from the side-line. Toko was playing w>th great dash and the fastbreaking forwards were spoiling every passing movement attempted by Valley. Most of the play was in Valley territory. From a scrum near the Valley line, McKenzie cleared to halfway, followed up fast, and speculated to the Toko line, winning the race for the ball to score a well-deserved try. Steel missed with the kick Just before the final wh stle, Simpson added another three points to Toko's score with a penalty, making his own total 14 and the team's total 17, to Valley's 6. Mr A. Strang (Balclutha) was the referee. The early game at M'lton was between Toko 111 and Clutha 111, and resulted in an easy win for Toko by 26 points to 3. Clutha scored first and Toko led by 5 to 3 at half-time. Toko was on the attack practically throughout the second spell and added another 21 points. Tries were scored by Howie (2), Cockerill, Herbert and Wilkinson, while Dee converted four tries and kicked a penalty goal. Other results were:—Seniors: Owaka 9. Clutha 3; Crescent 11, Clinton 8. Second Grade: Lawrence 20. Waiwera 0. Third Grade: Clinton 15, Crescent 9. As a result of Saturday's games, Owaka takes the lead in the Senior Grade with R points, followed by Clinton 5, Crescent 4, Clutha Valley 4, Valley 3 and Toko 2.